our main topics
Smart Babies
Smart Preschoolers
Early Reading
Early Math
Gifted and Talented
Learning Fun on the Web
Mom's Page
Family Freebies
Software Reviews
Parent Connection

sites of interest
HerTopSites
Sites for Teachers
Teach-nology

tell-a-friend
Do you have a friend with preschoolers who might be interested in this site? Click here to tell-a-friend.

Before or after reading a story, reinforce the concepts and vocabulary in your child's natural environment. For example:

Before reading, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin," by Laura Joffe Numeroff, bake muffins together. Eat a muffin at an appropriate time during the story.

"The Mitten" by Alvin Tresselt is a story about a group of animals that find shelter inside a lost mitten. After reading this childhood favorite, help your child discover how many of his toy animals will fit in his mitten. Talk about if his mitten holds more or less then the mitten in the story. Try it with a grown-up mitten and talk about why you need more objects to fill it.

Encourage your child to participate in reading the words. Read a few words and let him fill in the blanks. The boy is sitting on the .... At first, point to the picture, such as the swing. The next time you read the story, which may be in a few minutes if it is his favorite, try just saying the phrase with the blank and see if he can say the word without your pointing cue.

Sometimes, simply tell your child a story to inspire him to create stories of his own. It can be as long or short as time permits, told anywhere, and can be tailored to your child's experiences. Use new words to expand his vocabulary as you tell a story about the family pet or your own favorite childhood memory. When you tell a story to a young child, you give him the opportunity to focus on and realize the power of words.

ADULTS

As children of readers are more likely to become readers themselves, set a good example for your child. Perhaps you are able to set aside a short time each day to read your favorite magazine, novel, or newspaper. Let your child observe you reading words aloud as you go about your daily life activities. For example, read cards and letters from friends to your child. Read the road signs and billboards as you drive. Read the labels on the cans, boxes, and jars to your child as your shop. Read the words on your shopping coupons. Let your child find the product you need by matching the word on the coupon to the words on the products. While cooking, read the recipes to your child and let him help you follow the directions.